Mei Ting's Diary Excerpt (9)
Long Jian: Hehehe, don't mention me, give more support, hehe ~~
November 23rd, Saturday of the 26th year of the Republic of China Weather: ***
Today is Christmas in the Western world, and I have been away from Nanjing for three days. Now I have finally arrived in Anqing, the capital of Anhui Province. Thinking back to the ten days since November 11th of the 26th year of the Republic of China when the army entered the city until I left Nanjing, it really feels like a different world. In these ten days, I saw a truly iron-like army, a truly capable and battle-hardened unit. Liu Zhenfeng disregarded danger and led his troops from North China to Nanjing, solely for the purpose of rescuing the military and civilians in Nanjing. He would not die defending Nanjing; to be honest, even with the soldiers he had, plus those who had not retreated from Nanjing, they would not exceed 100,000 men. At present, the Japanese army attacking the city has tens of thousands of soldiers, and their reinforcements are still on the way. With such a small force, he would not defend Nanjing; his goal was to disperse the civilians in the city and let as many ordinary people leave as possible. In these ten days, I saw the 77th Army, which is probably the only unit in the country that can fight against the enemy on an equal footing. Although their weapons and equipment are not as good as those of the German-equipped divisions, their fighting spirit is very strong. In recent days, in the streets and alleys of the city, you could see the figures of the officers and soldiers of the 77th Army everywhere. As long as we saw them, our uneasy hearts were calmed a lot; with them here, we felt at ease.
Everyone says that the Japanese are good at close combat and that the Chinese army can't beat them. However, the officers and men of the 77th Division, who originated from the 29th Route Army of the National Revolutionary Army, were not afraid of the enemy at all. I have never seen any Chinese unit charge forward like the 77th Division did in close combat, shouting loudly as if they were afraid of being left behind. How did Liu Zhenfeng train his subordinates? Why are they so willing to sacrifice themselves? Watching them fight made us spectators' blood boil with excitement, and we couldn't help but want to pick up our guns and charge into the front lines to kill all the Japanese devils.
In those sleepless nights in Nanjing, I was restless every night, especially from December 10th when the Japanese army launched a general attack on Nanjing. For half a month, it felt like I had gone through half a century. Japanese planes flew over the city every day, and the sounds of cannons and gunfire kept reaching my ears. I found that everyone around me was very scared, afraid of becoming a cold corpse at any moment. Every night, I cried with worry. But since his troops entered the city, my heart has been much more at ease. Although I am still very scared, he said that as long as his troops are in the city for one day, they will absolutely not let the enemy's claws reach into the safety zone. Whenever I was too afraid to sleep, I would sing that passionate and stirring song. I already knew the name of this song, called "Chinese Military Soul". Yes, this song is very powerful and can boost people's morale. Every time I was afraid, I would silently sing this song in my heart, believing that we will definitely survive!
In the 26th year of the Republic, on November 20th of the lunar calendar, I heard that a safe passage for withdrawal to the west had been opened. Today, the officers and soldiers of the 77th Army are going to send us away from Nanjing, but I don't want to leave. Although I am still very scared, I want to stay in Nanjing, I want to stay by his side. As long as he is here, I don't feel endangered. But if I leave, he will definitely have to stay in Nanjing for a while longer, which would be so dangerous! Rather than going to the rear and worrying about him, it's better to stay by his side and fight together with him.
But this hateful guy actually sent his guards to forcibly put me and that cousin of his on the car, and escorted us all the way out, resolutely not letting us stay in Nanjing. Thinking about it really makes me angry, how can he be so overbearing?
I was reluctant, on the road, I thought of jumping off the car and running back to see him several times, but his guards were watching closely, I didn't have a chance to leave the car. Just like that, I was taken out of Nanjing, taken out of the war zone. Of course, this journey wasn't peaceful either, Japanese planes were circling in the sky, and gunshots could be heard from time to time not far away. It seemed that the soldiers of the 77th Army were protecting this lifeline with their own flesh and blood. My tears fell again unintentionally. Forget it, let's go to the rear first, hoping he can break through safely.
Leaving Nanjing, leaving that city ravaged by war, my heart is filled with melancholy. The fall of Nanjing was only a matter of time. Generally speaking, when the capital falls, it's as good as losing the country. But I believe that as long as our hearts don't die, this nation won't perish either. And I also believe that Liu Zhenfeng's 77th Army will definitely break through the siege and create new glories!
